Our modern lifestyle ensures we store electrical energy in batteries in increasing amounts. Our electric cars alone could power our houses for several days. While our electric hot water heaters, assuming we have these, could store a quarter of our monthly electricity bill. If we include our fellow citizens in the calculation, then there is merit in the claim our cities are becoming giant batteries.
Our ‘City Batteries’ Could Help Support the National Grid
Architecture AU has analyzed the impact on the Australian grid of hot water heaters, and electric car batteries. Imagine if we recharged them all at the the same time, they ask. This could create a massive overload and even trip the network.
However, and this is the point that Architecture AU wants to make, we could also help the same grid operate more efficiently. But this would need us to start recognizing that these devices have potential to become energy storage hubs, in addition to their original purpose.
Power grids are not easy things to operate. They have to maintain a balance between customer demand, and the electrical energy they pour into the grid. But we can help relieve the strain during high-demand periods, by not recharging our electric water heaters and electric vehicles during those peak times.
Turning Our Cities Into Collective ‘Batteries’
Architecture AU includes a case study of Australia’s capital city Canberra, in their article that we link to below. We were particularly intrigued to learn that Canberra’s half million residents rely entirely on renewable energy.
The study we referred to a moment ago, reveals the following information which confirms our cities are becoming giant batteries:
- Coordinating the time periods for EV charging and water heating, could reallocate a third of the average resident’s electricity use.
- This would restrict the peak-load spike to just 16% of the average. Whereas doing nothing retains the current 34% spike.
These facts confirm that our cities are indeed becoming giant batteries. We just need to use them wisely, to keep our costs down and our lights on.
More Information
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